Help Needed Please

[JeannieWish]

Hi,

We have two Muscovy ducks, a male and a female.

Just recently she has been losing her feathers, she has bald patches on her wings and today I noticed she has a bald patch on the back of her head/neck.

Should I separate them for a while?

She seems unhappy, she tries to stay with the hens a lot of the time.

If I separate them should I let her sleep in the duck house at night or put her in with the hens at night?

Thanks

 

[jducour]

If you are going to separate them, it needs to be at night as well. Imagine keeping your husband away from you all day, every day, then allowing him to sleep in your bed at night. Would he leave you alone? Can you add a couple more ducks to his flock? I know it can be really difficult to keep flocks separated, but he does sound like he is over breeding her.

 

[JeannieWish]

Hi jducour,

Thank you for replying and helping.

We may be able to add two more ducks but they aren't Muscovy ducks, will that matter?

We were given these two ducks from a farmer down the lane and he has none to spare at the moment.

Or shall I separate them till I can get the Muscovy ducks?

Thanks again, I really appreciate your advice

 

[jducour]

I'm not a muscovey expert, so I am not sure. I would think that if you do add mallard derived ducks, make sure they are equal in size to your male. Pekin or jumbo pekin sized. Have you checked your local classifieds? There are 4 or 5 people in my are selling adult muscovey right now, maybe there are some in your area as well.

 

[Amiga]

@Miss Lydia has Muscovies.

She may be overmated, she also may be molting. How old is she and when was the last time she molted? Has she been broody?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi,

We have two Muscovy ducks, a male and a female.

Just recently she has been losing her feathers, she has bald patches on her wings and today I noticed she has a bald patch on the back of her head/neck.

Should I separate them for a while?

She seems unhappy, she tries to stay with the hens a lot of the time.

If I separate them should I let her sleep in the duck house at night or put her in with the hens at night?

Thanks

As you know Muscovy drakes have long nails so just regular breeding causes feather loss but it it is that noticeable I'd give her a break, Breeding season is coming to an end anyways if your in the USA. She'll molt soon and that will stop egg laying. You could try putting her in with the chickens she'd probably appreciate the time out, and maybe consider adding a few ducks for next year that helps with over breeding one particular one. Won't matter if they are Muscovy or another breed.

 

[JeannieWish]

Hi

They are both just over a year old

She may be broody as I have taken her eggs away from her a few weeks ago.

We didnt want her to have chicks this year.

We are wanting her to have her chicks next year in spring .

I have put the drake into the A frame for now and I am phoning around my county to try and get two more ducks xxx

Thank you very much xxx

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi

They are both just over a year old

She may be broody as I have taken her eggs away from her a few weeks ago.

We didnt want her to have chicks this year.

We are wanting her to have her chicks next year in spring .

I have put the drake into the A frame for now and I am phoning around my county to try and get two more ducks xxx

Thank you very much xxx

I have 2 Muscovy ducks both 4 yrs old sitting on nothing, once broody I just let it run it's course not much else you can do with them. Be sure to do intros slowly when you do bring home more ducks always easier on the newbies to meet and greet the resident ducks through fencing for a few days to how ever long it may take depending on the ducks. Let us know what you find.

 

[JeannieWish]

Thank you for your help .

I have phoned a few places and I'm waiting to hear back from some. One farmer will have 2 Muscovy ducks on friday if I want them.

Thanks again. I will post some photos when they are all friends lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Thank you for your help .

I have phoned a few places and I'm waiting to hear back from some. One farmer will have 2 Muscovy ducks on friday if I want them.

Thanks again. I will post some photos when they are all friends lol

Look forward to it.

if you want ducklings in the future you may want to consider getting more Scovy's if your drake mates with any other breed they will have infertile ducklings so their ducklings won't be able to reproduce. But hey you have a pair of Scovy's now to get ducklings from that will be able to make more ducklings.